Time lost

I know this is a bit outdated (probably two years) but thought I'd post it !

Why did I do it? I can hear you saying, didn’t you know, didn’t you realise? Everyone knows there are always problems. Yes, you are puzzled and thinking what is she going on about AGAIN!

Well here is the story from its alpha to its omega.

As we are all aware we are in the grips of a pandemic. Some would blame the Chinese for unleashing a deadly bug on the world, others that God is destroying the godless, as some of our relatives across the pond are saying, me well, just a very unfortunate occurrence where the unseen has a very uncanny habit of attacking the seen. There is the lesson for the day, back to the story.

Lockdown, social distancing, furlough, face masks, hand sanitizers et al, I could go on but I have lost track of all the new terms which seem to have entered my vocabulary. But the most important thing, we all need to do is to stay in our own homes. Easy if we are fairly able and have access to the internet and supermarket home deliveries. Luckily I have Wi-Fi and a pocket handkerchief sized garden so I can order food, and nearly anything else my heart desires (should there be availability slots) and I can get some fresh air on my patio.

Being confined began quite well, every cupboard and shelf sorted and the house shone like a new pin. But soon things began to pall, I felt like a prisoner in my own home for exercise began pacing up and down the lounge. During one of these perambulations it happened.  The phone rang making me jump at such an unexpected occurrence, I tripped over the cat, who squawked as though being killed. He lashed out, poor lamb not his fault, and managed to claw bloody tram lines down my leg. I fell forward, luckily stabilising myself on the sideboard, but in my panic knocked the clock to the ground. Not a valuable item but much loved. It is one of those wind up things with a lovely tick, tock sound. Often after a troubling day it has eased me into a much needed nap.

It lay face down springs and cogs scattered. I almost cried but carefully collected all its pieces. The cat had disappeared into a corner and was scowling, the least of my worries. I found a box for the bits and contemplated, already the room had become too quiet and I jumped every time I heard anything. What to do? I couldn’t go out or invite anyone in and I think I would go mad, or madder, without its comforting sound.

Light bulb moment! I had plenty of time (sadly my beloved time piece didn’t), consult the oracle Google. After searching and finding all sorts of useless items I found it on YouTube. A tutorial with step to step instructions on clock repairs for amateurs. I laid all the pieces out as shown and begun the task. It looked very easy but large fingers and inadequate tools made it almost impossible. After three days of constant work I had a clock again. The cat had forgiven me and was sitting on my lap. ‘Well Tiddles are you ready for this?’

I inserted the key and began to wind. It gave that pleasing sound as the spring tightened. I didn’t go too far, just in case. I set its hands to the correct time and waited. After a sort of little cough it began, ‘Tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick,’ getting faster and the hands were going backwards. Not one who usually uses bad language I let out a string of expletives and threw the cursed object across the room. The cat, awakened from pussy cat dreams, shrieked and leaped, bloody tram lines down both arms, and went to join the clock in the corner and once again glowered.

A number of lessons from this sad tale, take friends’ advice, don’t put your trust in google, You Tube will lead you astray and don’t believe the government when they suggest you keep body and mind active.

Luckily I found a metronome in the attic, never did learn to play a musical instrument, and it keeps time, but rather stridently. When I have recovered I may attempt to buy another clock but I think I might trust somewhere like John Lewis rather than google IF they have not collapsed completely.